The Churches of Britain and Ireland

  Bridgend

Bridgend on Wikipedia.


Aberkenfig.

Blackmill, Paran Welsh Baptist Church. SS 9342 8680. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. The former Wesleyan Methodist Chapel on Graig Terrace, dating from 1885. SS 9360 8689. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Coflein mentions a Mission Church,  also on Graig Terrace, at SS 9379 8697, dating it to 1914, demolished post-WWII. . Its site, now occupied by housing, was seen by Streetview in 2022.
Blaengarw, the former St. James (CiW), now a private residence. The former Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist Church. In the foreground (the hairdresser's) is the original chapel, and the first in the valley.
The former Bethania Welsh Baptist Church. The former Mount Zion English Baptist Church. All that remains of Nebo Welsh Independent Chapel is this small length of wall and the foundation stone. All © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Bridgend.
Bryncethin, Nazareth Baptist Chapel (1908) on Wigan Terrace, dated here to 1887. SS 9135 8450.
© Gervase N. E. Charmley. Facebook. The former Hallelujah Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (1908) at Bryn-coch, now in commercial use. SS 9108 8370. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. The former Peniel Independent Chapel. Only the inscribed stone gives the game away. Although I can make out "built" and "re-built" in the original photo, I can't read the dates. However, the RCAHMW entry says "built in 1820 and rebuilt 1888". It also says it was converted "by 1998". Howard Richter advises that the 1877 O.S. map doesn't show a building on the current site, though there is a smaller, un-named building a few yards away. By the 1899 map, this has been demolished, so it's a reasonable assumption that this was the 1820 chapel. It would have stood about where the yellow bush is in the photo. SS 9115 8394. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. St. Theodore used to stand about 200m due south of Nazareth. It's dated here to 1891-6, with demolition following some time after closure in 1992. A old photo can be seen here, and the site today on a Streetview from 2022. SS 9138 8426. A Calvinistic Methodist Chapel used to stand on what is now the A4061, at SS 9128 8411. The house on the site today was seen by Streetview in 2022. Its Coflein entry calls it Bethania. I haven't been able to find a photo.
Brynmenyn, Bethlehem Calvinistic Methodist Church, on Bryn Road. Old maps show it was built sometime between 1900 and 1948. SS 9025 8471. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. The former Betharran Independent Church (closed). Its Coflein entry dates it to 1925, successor to chapels of 1809 and 1859. SS 9059 8488. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.

Caerau.
Cefn Cribwr.
Coity, St. Mary. SS 9239 8155.
 © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Grade I listed. The remains of Coity Castle Chapel. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. The castle, as a whole, is grade I listed. Gilead Independent Chapel (the original building was built in 1826, succeeded by the present building in 1862, which was re-built 1890). SS 9219 8155. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Coychurch, St. Crallo, and its interior. SS 9396 7969. Both © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Grade I listed. For associated listed features, see here. Hebron Independent Chapel used to stand on what is today Heol-Y-Capel. Pre-dating a map of 1900, the housing on the site was seen by Streetview in 2022. SS 9388 7980.
Coytrahen, former chapel on Maesteg Road - it has a date-stone for 1901. Can you advise the denomination? My thanks to Janet Gimber for advising that this was Goetre-hen Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. SS 8906 8575. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Coflein entry. A Mission Room is shown on O.S. maps at SU 8910 8567. It has replaced by a bungalow (not a conversion, it's has a different footprint), which was seen by Streetview in 2022. Its Coflein entry dates it to pre-1899, and says that it served as the church hall after the adjacent St. Thomas the Apostle was built in the 1930's. It has been converted to residential use, and was seen by Streetview in 2022. Coflein entry.

Cwmfelin, Calfaria Welsh Baptist Chapel (1877), on Mill Street.
SS 8623 8978. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Coflein entry. An otherwise unidentified Capel is shown on old O.S. maps a short was to the N.E. of Calfaria, at SS 8630 8986. It pre-dates a map of 1900 but is absent on one of 1884. Its Coflein entry identifies it as Noddfa Welsh Independent Chapel. A house called Ty Noddfa stands on the site, and it was seen by Streetview in 2022. I  haven't been able to find a photo.

Evanstown, Calfaria Welsh Baptist Chapel. Its Coflein entry dates it to 1897, with closure "by 2015". SS 9785 8958. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.

Garth, St. Mary the Virgin. Coflein dates it to 1891. SS 8638 9040. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. O.S. maps show Ebenezer Chapel (Welsh Independent) off Bridgend Road at SS 8650 9015. Pre-dating the oldest available map of 1899, its Coflein entry dates it to 1868, re-built 1904-11, and says it was derelict by 1998. It remained so in 2022 when the Streetview van took its only image. Another chapel, shown on a 1949 map, stood on Heol Elfed, according to Coflein, which calls it Horeb, but doesn't say what its affiliations were. The O.S. map showing it is small scale, so one has to rely on the Coflein map to locate it. It appears to have been demolished. As far as I can judge, it would have stood somewhere in the view seen here, in a Streetview of 2022.
Gilfach Goch, St. Barnabas. Coflein dates it to 1896-9. SS 9828 8950.
© Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Bethel Wesleyan Methodist Chapel (1938, source) on Alfred Street and Cambrian Avenue, Gilfach, replaced an earlier "tin tabernacle". Another view. SS 9827 8825. Both © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Moriah Baptist Church is dated by Coflein to 1921. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Libanus Calvinistic Methodist Church, dating from 1877 (source). Another view. SS 9835 8991. Both © Gervase N. E. Charmley. There was also a Primitive Methodist Chapel, at SS 9835 8973. The houses standing on the site were seen by Streetview in 2022. Coflein seems to be in error regarding this chapel. It shows on a map, and gives a grid reference for, a P.M. Chapel at the site of Bethel Wesleyan, dating it to 1875. However, no maps prior to mid 20th century shows a place of worship here. I suspect that the date may be applicable to the P.M. Chapel in this entry - it was certainly built prior to 1885. The 6" map of 1900 shows a Chapel at SS9831 8963, which the 25" map of 1919 labels as S.A. Barracks. The house on its site was seen by Streetview in 2022. Capel Bryn-Seion (Independent) is shown on the map of 1900, a little way north of St. Barnabas, at SS 9831 8955. Demolished at some point before the first Streetview visit in 2008, the most recent visit in 2022 appears to show that the site was about to be re-developed. Its Coflein entry dates it to 1873, with demolition by 1997.
Glynogwr, St. Tyfodwg, the parish church. SS 9564 8723. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Grade II* listed. A Calvinistic Methodist Chapel is labelled as Capel Glynogwr on old large scale O.S. maps; its Coflein entry calls it Capel Newydd, and dates it to 1849, successor to an earlier chapel of 1819. Boarded up and broken windows as early as the Streetview van visit in 2008 suggests the chapel has been closed for some years. SS 9590 8734. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Grade II listed.

Kenfig Hill, Pyle - see Pyle.

Laleston, St. David. Interior view. A re-used medieval altar slab in the NE of the nave. SS 8753 7986. All © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Grade I listed. A cross in the churchyard is listed as grade II. Bethel Baptist Church. SS 8767 7978. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. The former Horeb Chapel is labelled on older O.S. maps as Calvinistic Methodist, but on its grade II listing (where it's dated to 1831) as Welsh Presbyterian. SS 8776 7982. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Llangeinor, St Ceinwyr, as seen by Streetview in 2022.
 Link. Grade II* listed. A grave cover in the churchyard is listed as grade II. Calfaria Baptist Chapel on High Street. Gervase advises that it was planned to replace it with a bigger chapel, but the scheme never happened. Link dates it to 1924. SS 9147 8764. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Llangynwyd, the Parish Church, St. Cynwyd. SS 8537 8883. ©
Gerard Charmley (2011). Link. Grade II* listed. For listed features associated with the church, see here. Older O.S. maps show two chapels in the village near the church, both on Llan Road - Bethesda Chapel (Welsh Independent), and Capel y Babell (Calvinistic Methodist). Bethesda survives, converted to residential use, and it was seen by Streetview in 2022. It has a date-stone above the porch door, but I can't read it. The National Archives references documents for the period 1861-2004. SS 8575 8889. Babell stands a little further away to the north-east, at SS 8585 8893. It too survives, also converted, and was seen by Streetview in 2022.

Maesteg.
Mawdlam, St. Mary Magdalene. SS 8066 8194. © Gerard Charmley (2010). Link. Grade II* listed. A tomb in the churchyard is listed as grade II.
Merthyr Mawr. © David Gallimore.

Nant-y-Moel, St. David, the former parish church, now a private residence. Horeb English Baptist Church (1894). The former Bethel Independent Chapel (1872), which Gervase says has been gutted. All © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Nantyffyllon.
Newton, Porthcawl - see Porthcawl.
North Cornelly, Pyle - see Pyle.
Nottage, Dewi Sant (CiW). Link. General Baptist Chapel (now Unitarian, originally founded 1789 by Arminian Baptists). Both © Gerard Charmley (2010).

Ogmore Vale, St. David (CiW). Bethlehem Independent Church. Christchurch (Methodist and U.R.C.), originally Bethel Primitive Methodist. The former Ogmore Vale Presbyterian Church, now a youth centre. The former Wesley Church, originally Wesleyan Methodist. Pwll-y-Pant Cemetery Chapel. Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, which was perhaps previously a chapel - can you confirm? An inscribed foundation stone bears the date 1895. My appreciation to Janet Gimber who has advised that this was Philadelphia Baptist Chapel. Before the Witnesses, took over, the building spent some time as a "club", according to an old map. All © Gervase N. E. Charmley.

Pantygog, Salem Baptist Chapel - a "tin tabernacle". © Gervase N. E. Charmley.
Pen-y-Bryn, Capel Pen-y-Bryn (Calvinistic Methodist). © Gerard Charmley (2010).
Pen y Fai, All Saints. Smyrna Baptist Chapel. Both ©
Gerard Charmley (2011).
Pencoed.
Pont Rhyd-y-Cyff, the former Ainon Welsh Baptist Church on Station Road. The National Library of Wales holds documents for the years 1890-1974. Its date-stone shows a date of 1888(?), but it's curious that maps of the early 20th century don't show a building here. SS 8695 8900. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.  This building is marked as a chapel on maps, but has no visible denomination - can you supply it? My appreciation to Howard Richter for advising that this was built as a school (before 1898, as it appears on a map of that date). By 1940 it shows as a church, and on a 1964 map, is St. Stephen's Church (CiW). Both © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Shiloh Apostolic Church on Llan Road. © Gerard Charmley (2011). Link. Moriah Chapel on Station Road, as seen by Streetview in 2022. The date-stone for 1876 can be seen. Older O.S. maps label it as Jerusalem Chapel (Calvinistic Methodist). SS 8718 8900. Yet another Station Road chapel has been demolished. All available maps identify it only as Capel. It stood on the north side of the road, just west of the railway bridge, at SS 8704 8901. It doesn't appear to have been active after WWI. Its site was seen by Streetview in 2022. The property name (Ainon House) suggests that it was the predecessor of the previously mentioned Ainon. If correct, then the dates mentioned for the other Ainon includes both Ainon's, and the date-stone of this first chapel was built into the second.
Pontycymer.
Pont-y-Rhyl, a distant view of the former St. Mary (CiW).
Its Cofelin entry dates it to 1891-2. SS 9045 8959. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Early O.S. maps mark a Mission Room near to the church at SS 9049 8954. It ceases to be labelled in the early 20th century, so it's possible that it was the predecessor of St. Mary. In a 2010 Streetview, its site will be somewhere up the grassy bank - the roof of St. Mary can be seen among the trees in the background. Old maps also mark Carmel Chapel at SS 9047 8963, a short distance N.E. of the church. It survived at least up to the mid-20th century but was closed and demolished at some point. Its site (Streetview 2022) remains undeveloped. Another chapel is shown on old maps - as Nazareth Chapel (Welsh Meth.), at SS 9073 8936. Genuki dates it to 1887, closed by 1998. From an aerial view I think it survives, but it isn't visible on Streetview.
Porthcawl.

Price Town, the former Bethany English Calvinistic Methodist Church (1896, re-built 1905 - Coflein) on Hill Street and Oakfield Terrace. SS 9379 9206. Howard Richter advises that (judging from old maps) the chapel extension comprised the nearest section with the two arched windows on the right-hand side; the building has been converted into flats. It appears to have still been a church when the 1992 OS map was published, but the closure date is not currently known. A former chapel on Hill Street and Ogwy Street. Janet Gimber has advised that this was probably Hope Congregational Chapel, which Howard Richter has confirmed, and he also provides the building date of 1898. The building is not marked as church or chapel on the 1992 map, so was probably closed by then. SS 9375 9204. Both
© Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link1. Link2 (another photo, on an external site). Howard Richter also advises that there was a Free Gospel Mission showing on the 1961-2 OS map at SS 9372 9193, since demolished. Streetview saw the site in 2008, and as of 2022 the site remains vacant and completely overgrown. Link.
Pyle.

Rhiwceiliog, Soar (or Zoar) Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Church Street. The smaller building is the vestry. SS 9725 8434. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link.

Sarn, Llansantffraid Church (St. Ffraid or St. Bride). The medieval church was doubled in size by the addition of a new aisle in the C19. Two further views - 1, 2. SS 8968 8348. All © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. Grade II listed. For listed monuments, a cross, etc., see here.
Spelter, Dyffryn Independent Chapel (1897) on Bedw Street. SS 8535 9369. © Gerard Charmley (2011).

Tondu, Wesley Church Centre, originally Wesleyan. It pre-dates a map of 1899. SS 8924 8418. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link. The same map shows, just a short distance to the south, Capel Jerusalem (Baptist), at SS 8926 8407. It's dated in its Coflein entry to 1884, demolished before 1997. Its site - the grassed area - was seen by Streetview in 2022.
Tylagwyn, Baptist Chapel dates from 1888, a re-build of a chapel of 1831 (Coflein). SS 9114 8874. © Gervase N. E. Charmley.

Ynysawdre (between Aberkenfig and Brynmenyn), Bryn Road Chapel (Brethren). SS 8989 8446. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. A former Mission Hall stands adjacent, now in use as a community centre. Janet Gimber (who advised that this building was a Mission Hall) has been unable to discover the mother church. SS 8989 8444. © Gervase N. E. Charmley. Link.

 

 
 

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10 December 2023

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